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Mitch Kupchak: The Game’s Best Sixth Man, 1979

Because Kupchak is so versatile, he poses monumental problems for opposing teams. “He creates favorable mismatches for us,” says Bullet coach Dick Motta, who likes to compare Kupchak with Jerry Sloan, the hellaciously tough guard Motta coached with the Chicago Bulls some years ago.

It’s a New Year for Elvin Hayes, 1971

It’s a new year for a new Elvin, really. It’s all a selfless campaign, hard to imagine for the once-brooding rookie who caused so many problems for himself and his team two years ago.

Terry Catledge: Cat Man Do, 1991

By the time the Magic’s inaugural campaign had drawn to a close, Catledge had won himself a home.

Goliath Comes to Tinseltown, 1968-1969

Contrary to popular opinion, the Lakers and their opponents, though agreeing that Los Angeles would be formidable, had reservations about the Super-team label and scoffed at the thought that the Lakers had anything locked up.

College All-Stars Do It Again, 1946

There it stood until less than two minutes remained to be played. Fred Lewis hit from way out to clinch the game, and Klier completed the scoring for the night on a foul by Bob Tough.

The Wait’s Finally Over for David Robinson, 1989

During two years of watching Robinson serve his naval commitment, watching Robinson in the 1988 Olympics, watching Robinson do color commentary for the networks, watching Robinson play service ball, the Spurs could only wait and dream. And lose.

Dick Barnett: Keep on Keepin’ On, 1972

At 35 years of age, Barnett doesn’t have much time left in the game. It has been only in the past four years that he has really made decent money, and he hates to give it up so soon.

Tom LaGarde: Tendon to Business, 1979-1984

“It’s a business,” he shrugged at a 3 p.m. news conference in the Sonic office. “I’m ready to go.”

Warren Jabali: The Rock of Ages, 1995

On this day at North Dade, Jabali slides through the milling children as they head home. A little girl holding a pickle. Gives him a hug and moves on.

Warren Armstrong (Jabali): Like a Rock, 1969-1975

“Warren plays like he was 6-foot-6 or 6-foot-7. It’s not all jumping ability, either. He can jump with anybody, but [when] he gets around the ball, he’s got timing and he’s strong.”